New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-03
sIE j. H. DRUllMoND HAYS STORY.
AN ADVENTURE IN A HAREEM.
From lfurrdIs Magazine

Stratford Canning
The British Consul at had laid before the
Ambassador complaints against the Pacha OF the
district wtere he iesided, and the latter had also
brought under the notice of the Porte grievances OF
a serious character. alleged to have been suffered
from the proceedings of the Consul Attempts Nere
made both by the Porte and the Ambassador to
bring about settlement Of the differences, without
success. British subjects, Ionians and Turks whose
interests affected by this state OF affairs APP
peaed to the Embassy, and to the Porte, urging that
steps should taxed to the ends of justice.
Sir y Canning proposed to the Porte that officer
of the Embassy should be sent to to make an
inquiry into the conduct of the two funetionaries,
and that he should be empowered both b., the Porte
and the Ambassador to bring about q settlement or
these differences, which bad been q constant source
OF vex itious correspondence. Sir StratfOrd selected
TOR this duty and delivered to letters from the
Porte to the Paeha and from himself to the Consul
! acquanting them respectively that l had been
authorized to inquire into the various questions at
issue. and to endeavor to bring about settlement
Both the Consul and Pacha my arrival offered
me hospitality which | declined, under the peculiar
The day after my drrivll the Pacha summoned n
Divan of several local Notdbes, who were TO give
evidence and the Consul also requested to att nd
When entered the Divan. being then a youth of
about twenty-six, was much shocked at seeing the
Pacha, Consul, and other notabes with white and
h0ary boards aud venerable appearance, upon
| whom | had, as it were, to sit in judgment. After
pipes and coffee, the hearing OF the various subjects
| in dispute commenced.
Though refer to this scene az it affects the end Of
my tale it is needless relate what passed. further
than to mention that found both Pacha and Consul
were IN the wrong Out that neither nau acteu III
manner to require any severe eensure on the part OF
the Porte Ambassador, aud drew mp report in
that On my return journey to the port having
! heard that game was plentiful gave my horse to
the Greek servant TO lead, and wandered over the
country ! had good sport; and the Greek ire
quenty warned me that unless We kept to the beaten
path and rode on quickly, we should not be able to
reach the port before dark.
! l continued, however, to shoot, wandering Tito
| thckets after game many miles distant from the
road, or rather track until it became dark that
! could no longer see the birds rise. On remountng,
told the Greek to lead the way. but he declined
! he knew where were nor even what direction
to take. Ii Hes a bright clear night and at dis
tance.of about two miles | esped light thither l
decided to direct steps, and to ask tor shelter t0r
the night, or tor guide.
We arrived at a large building with lattice windows
several feet from the ground surrounded by a high
wall enclosing what appeared TO be farm-buildings,
with large double gate where carts aud cattle could
pass. After knocking loudly, an old Turk appeared
spose Turkish fuently at that time, 80 told HIM
| was En- glish traveller and had lost my way and
begged TO have shelter the MI anywhere IN the
iarm-yard feed Tor my horses and some bread and
coffee, If nothing else in the way OF food was procur
able, Tor self and servant toi we we're very hungry
The Turk replied that his master was - Bey, who
had formerly been in the service OF the Forte that
he was landed proprietor; that as his family dwet
with him. could he admitted INTO the house
but he offered TO ask the Beys PERMISSION to allow us
pass the night in of the Outhouses, and TO put
up our horses.
The gate was again closed, and after waiting few
minutes, a Turkish gentleman, dressed In a handsome
ur pesse and icz, appeared Alter the usual salu-
tations he said Are you an Englishman y replied
that was. without making myself known as one oil
the Secretaries OF the British Embassy. lie babe
welcome in a hearty manner, and turning to the
old man who had lust opened the gate, directed that
my attendant should be lodged in room in the farm
Buildings, be given whatever he might require, and
thar the horses should he stalled and ted.
Then taking me 10 the door OF his house. ana open,
ing it with large key, he stopped on the threshold
and said, &" You English gentleman and there
fore a man OF honor. am about to do that which no
Mahomctan will OF ought TO do. admit you to my
harcm among my family. have heard how English
vtaf tlp
Of honor with their families, without restraint.
shall do the same ter have special reasons Tor my
Conduct which will relate when yon have rested.
IL il my earnest hope that you should feel as n you
were with one OF gour owu countrymen but beg
you keep secret from every one your visit TO my
house. aud never to mention whom you may see
within IT," 3,
He then led me up a narrow staircase into we'll
lighted room handsomely furnished with beautiful
carpeting comfortable divans, mirrors, Turkish
tables arms hung on the wall, and a couch with
pretty embroidered cushions and six quilt, which he
said was % be INV ted. o.,
Agan and agaio be babe me welcome. adding, Il
shall Leave YOU 10 repose- ION must ne hungry
supper is ordered pipe ana c9nSe ~i DC HrongSr
he repeated again in o kina manner, An Enghsh
Ehen IA Is always man of honor -
Whilst inspecting the room aud wondering WHAT al
this meant heard gentle step, and tall graceful
hgure Of n girl about seventeen entered She was
dressed handsomely in a jacket used by Turkish
ladies' with bodice open in front. like unto the
square dresses now worn by English ladies' OF an
evening She had on yellow silk shalvas or
which were prettily embroidered and hung outside
the shalyas' Her oomr oxion was olive, with very
large dark eyes and long eyelashes; ner nose no
She looked grave and sad, but bushes sunnsed her
cheeks az she bowed gracefully, and with sweet
smile put n chebook " into my mouth, and then
retired Her hair was braided III tresses around her
head and adorned with coins. Two long braids hung
down her back. This vision oil turkish naia iSn
pretty figure that had just left, and wondering
whether she would return, another damsel appeared
bearing q cup OF coffee, in " fnlan studded win
precious stones. Bending before me, she put it on
the little table.
She ,ppeared to be about fifteen, dressed like the
bearer OF the chsbook. but OF farer compleAon
with dark blue eyes her nose retrousse.' She was
not SO demure in her looks manner, ana standing
before mo blushing and smiling with mirthful ex
preston said in a very sweet voice, MY father Dds
me AJAX II there is anything you wish tor, and to say
your supper will soon be ready" THANKED her. put
held tongue remembering was an no on
AZ me- having pretty smile OF mischief. shortly |
afterward the elder damse reappeared, bringing |
sherbet. | thanked her, and she bowed ana Will
drew. . -
Then the host followed announce that supper was
ready; inquirng whether l had been properly at,
tended to- he led me to lower loom, reinarkihg that
h, Thought ouG be better able to enjoy my repast
without his presence, but that he hoped IN the even
ing TO converse with me- -, A., RI,
maidens who brought me- IN succession number oil
sayory Dishes with fruit and sweets OF oil kinds, Tor
which the Turks are famous partook o. ih
maIdens The elder no longer so demure IN her |
manner and the eyes OF tue younger sparkled with
fun as she waited on me but relrained from con
versotion further than to thank them now and thon
saving ever TO myself, amy host says am an honor
able man y; but fear my looks betrayed my admifa-
ton.
Alter supper the Bey conducted me to my apart
ment where coffee was brought by the damseis both
Of whom learnt. were his daughters: expressed
10 the Be, my warmest thanks tor his hospitality,
and Tor the great confidence he had shown by admit
ting me among his family; Upon this, he said n. he
would relate why he had broken through the
Mabometan custom and usages and hidden me vel
come in his harcem. He was fulfilling VOW made
wears ago that whenever he had an opportunity he
would endcayor give proof OF his gratitude Tor kind
ness received IRON the captain oi British merchant
vessel .,, A. d.
When vas young man, continued the Dey,
a bo,ore I was married | went on pilgrimage to
Mecca. On my return embarked from Alexandra
ON a Turkish vessel bound to Consta1tinople we